The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-14
THOUGHTS FROM THE PULPIT
Rev. E. ]. Gantz Devotes His Sermon to
Social Life and Its AmuSements.
He Thinks the National Game May Become
National Disgrace-Rev. Haines Discusses
the Servant Problem-0ther Disc0urses.

Rev. E. J. CAN'T preached in the evening at
Central Christian Church on Social Amuse-
meute," taking for the evening lesson the first
fifteen verses of the third chapter of Eccles-
tastes. He said it was remarkable to consider
how largely the social instinct is developed IN
Sometimes man assumes solitary life,
but he does this by way of penance- This prin-
ciple is recognized in the laws, where solitary
confinement is administered a very severe
punishment One of the saddest things that
strikes visitor at penitentiary is the sight of
large bodies of men speaking to no one. All
philosophers recognize the strength of the social
instinct They sometimes deplore the evils that
pervade society, but they treat the instinct that
makes society as a force that exists and must be
directed and controlled. Thousands Of dollars
are spent annually in this country for
buildings for the cultivation of the
social powers We have great societies
like the Masons, Oddfellows, Knights of
Pythias and others, organized for the develop
1nent and regulation of social powers Ladies
sometimes object to these societies because they
not admitted, but there are more social in
situations for women than for men. In fact.
the lodge may be taken as a confession of man
that he needs social training before he is fit TO
associate with woman. Il wish our church"
said Mr.. Gantz. chad million for missions, but
would not want to withdraw it from institu-
tions for social culture
Men seldom mingle together much without
some kind of amusement Amusement is as
old as the world. and it may have originated
with God. There are some things in the world
that cannot be accounted for any other the
DRY. Why was the monkey created. if not for
the amusement of mankinda God might have
made lambs walk like fve-year-old sheep,
but he did not He made them
to eambol and frolic Children are like them
In that respect The Hebrews had public
games, like the Greeks and Romans but the
children had their games, and adults their man
fgious character, but they served to bring the
people together socially. The public sports OF
she Greeks and Romans were comparatively
pure at first, but they became degraded That
igwhat is TO be feared in this country. Some
preachers draw the line between sinful and
harmless sports. and say that billiards are
wicked, but croquet is all right. 81 cannot be
so exact" Mr.. Gantz said, "but we know there
Is dividing line. There is growth of degrade
ton. ScylIa used 100 wild beasts in the public
games in his rule. but the passion for blood
grew until Titus used Is, 000 and the men of
those countries grew hardened that
they could see pure women thrown to
the beasts Of prey without shudder.
Baseball has been national game, but it
may become our national disgrace. l do not say
it is have never been on the grounds
here. but will warrant that every Ioafer who
could raise so cents has. 1t may be said that it
is better for him to go there than to spend his
30 cents in a bar-room. Very true; but he could
find something better than either. There may
be betting on the games. but that does not make
the game bad. Men will bet anything /
on the result, but that Is no reason for not split
ing. I cannot quit using my horse because an
other man drives his horse to death | think it
may be safely said that the sports of this coun-
try improving in character
Some men say they play chess for mental
discipline If their motives were analayzed it
would be found that they played for amuse-
ment So some say they go to the theater to
study elocution. They NAV think If you
hear of me going to a theater you may know
went for amusement do not go often. because
the plays produced do not amuse me- / do not
see how the cheap stuff put the stage nova
days can amuse any intelligent man. One is
ashamed of humanity when he sees his fellow
men enjoying it.
There some amusements apparently pop
ular that are disgusting: You pick up paper
occasionally and read a long account OF dog
fight or a cockfght Think of it Seventy
five hundred men starting out in the early
morning to some secluded spot to see two cocks
fight. Why, there are more brains in two cocks
than in all the men there The newspapers get
hold OF it and give an account a column and
half in length. do not blame the editors for it.
They pander TO the tastes of the people Their
readers want IT,
'.There is nothing that cannot be degraded
and made frivolous and sinful. Con-
the line is crossed. An editor who
heard Ingersoll said he laughed with the popu-
his mouth. he felt that he had made sport of
holy things. So when one is led away to sinful
lengths in his social amusements. On reflection
he feels that he has bad taste in his mouth.
His conscience reproves him. There is such
reproof to one who enjoys the social pleasures
offered by thu church of God. All who will
come into it's fellowship may experience the
highest and sweetest social joys and foretaste
the fellowship of blessed eternity"
Sermon on the Servant Problem.
At the First Presbyterian Church, 'last even
ing. Rev. NJ L. Haines delivered the first of a
series of addresses relative to Christianity in the
household. His topic was the Servant Prob
lem" for the solution of VIII ich ne referred to